Earth Today | African leaders rally for greener continent at environmental summit

IN A historic gathering marking the 40th anniversary of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), African heads of state, ministers of environment, and global partners convened in Nairobi under the auspices of Libya’s presidency to adopt a High-Level Political Declaration.

“This milestone declaration reaffirms Africa’s collective resolve to tackle escalating environmental challenges ranging from climate change and biodiversity loss to pollution and land degradation while celebrating four decades of continental leadership in environmental governance,” noted a July 18 news release from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the event.

The declaration has reportedly set the tone for a transformative future rooted in sustainability, resilience, and inclusive development. More than 1,500 delegates, including environment ministers from all of Africa’s 54 countries, civil society, private sector actors, youth, and development partners participated in the week-long conference.

“The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment must remain at the forefront of shaping the ‘Africa We Want’ through bold, visionary, and action-oriented leadership, Kenya is proud to walk this journey with you, advocating for environmental justice that recognises our unique development needs and circumstances. Let us not only speak with one voice but act with one resolve. The next 40 years must be about delivery, not deliberation” noted President William Ruto of Kenya.

Ruto had earlier in the week made an unscheduled visit to meet with AMCEN delegates, reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to environmental leadership and calling for greater African unity in tackling climate change.

Ministers adopted the Tripoli Declaration on Environmental Action in Africa, a bold and forward-looking roadmap outlining key priorities for 2025–2027. The declaration calls for urgent regional action on drought, biodiversity loss, plastic and chemical pollution, as well as integration of circular and blue economy approaches anchored in science, cooperation, and environmental justice. The final text of the Tripoli Declaration will be ready in a month,” the release said.

The High-Level Political Declaration, among other things, reaffirmed AMCEN’s role as the principal forum for Africa’s environmental agenda; committed to stable and predictable financing for AMCEN’s Trust Fund and UNEP’s Environment Fund and called for a regional multi-stakeholder forum on chemicals and waste management. It also pledged to combat climate change through national and regional action plans; and reaffirmed rejection of solar geoengineering.

The ministers also adopted the Africa Ocean Governance Strategy and called for national blue economy strategies; established an African Groups of Negotiators on Oceans and Wetlands; as well as reaffirmed commitment to biodiversity conservation and implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Framework.

They have, too, welcomed the creation of two more Africa Group of Negotiators on oceans and wetlands and supported Nairobi as host of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution, strengthening Africa’s visibility in global environmental governance.

Incoming AMCEN President, Dr Ibrahim A. Munir, minister of environment of the State of Libya, pledged to uphold and accelerate AMCEN’s implementation agenda.

“Libya is honoured to host this 20th session and assume AMCEN’s presidency at such a critical moment. We must now move from commitments to concrete delivery across all sectors and regions,” he said.

Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, UNEP’s deputy executive director, lauded AMCEN’s enduring role in shaping Africa’s environmental destiny.

“UNEP stands ready to provide technical and policy support to help turn these important conversations into actions that deliver impact where it is most needed. That’s why the theme of UNEA-7, to be held here in Nairobi in December, is ‘Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet’, she said.